Indie, True Story
4 stars
Well done but excruciating to watch. James Franco (Pineapple Express, Milk) stars as the avid outdoorsman who got his arm caught under a rock in a canyon in Utah, who after 5 days had to self amputate. It starts out very upbeat, but then as expected, you spend five days with him in a crevice until the inevitable scene – yes, I had to cover my face! Very good, but Oscar winner? I’m not so sure though the list of quality films this year is pretty short, so maybe. Gorgeous scenery but like I said, hard to watch at times.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Burlesque
3.5 stars
Musical
Sexy and fun. Christina Aguilera stars as a small town girl who dreams of singing on stage in LA. There’s some side stories including jealousy, romance and going broke, but mostly it’s just fun to watch the performers. It’s predictable and feels more like an excuse to showcase Aguilera’s powerful voice while strutting around in skimpy costumes, but it’s really entertaining to watch; almost as if you are at a live musical. Cher sings wonderfully – too bad for only two songs (people in the theater applauded after her second song). Co-stars include Cam Gigandet (Twilight) as a cute bartender, Stanley Tucci, Eric Dane, Peter Gallagher, Kristen Bell and Julianne Hough (barely recognizable in a red wig). Mindless fun.
Musical
Sexy and fun. Christina Aguilera stars as a small town girl who dreams of singing on stage in LA. There’s some side stories including jealousy, romance and going broke, but mostly it’s just fun to watch the performers. It’s predictable and feels more like an excuse to showcase Aguilera’s powerful voice while strutting around in skimpy costumes, but it’s really entertaining to watch; almost as if you are at a live musical. Cher sings wonderfully – too bad for only two songs (people in the theater applauded after her second song). Co-stars include Cam Gigandet (Twilight) as a cute bartender, Stanley Tucci, Eric Dane, Peter Gallagher, Kristen Bell and Julianne Hough (barely recognizable in a red wig). Mindless fun.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Fantasy
3.5 stars
Long and slow. Harry, Ron and Hermione skip Hogwart’s this year to hole up in the middle of nowhere to research where the rest of the 7 Horcrux’s are (objects infused with pieces of Voldemort’s soul to prolong his longevity). It’s depressing without all the cool people and distractions at Hogwart’s, and this may be the darkest film in the series yet – too dark for sensitive little ones. It’s been so long since I’ve read this book that I can’t remember how much of the story has been modified for the screen version. I thought this movie was too long and drawn out, but I’ve read all the books so I’m invested in the story. I hope the finale is better. The 100 or so teens and tweens in the theater seemed to love it and even applauded at the end. Only for Potter fans.
3.5 stars
Long and slow. Harry, Ron and Hermione skip Hogwart’s this year to hole up in the middle of nowhere to research where the rest of the 7 Horcrux’s are (objects infused with pieces of Voldemort’s soul to prolong his longevity). It’s depressing without all the cool people and distractions at Hogwart’s, and this may be the darkest film in the series yet – too dark for sensitive little ones. It’s been so long since I’ve read this book that I can’t remember how much of the story has been modified for the screen version. I thought this movie was too long and drawn out, but I’ve read all the books so I’m invested in the story. I hope the finale is better. The 100 or so teens and tweens in the theater seemed to love it and even applauded at the end. Only for Potter fans.
Skyline
Sci-Fi, Thriller
2.5 stars
Passable sci-fi flick about alien invasion, though it’s pretty much just a slightly better version of Cloverfield, with the monsters having similarities to the War of the Worlds creatures. Unfortunately, the previews led us to believe that there would be more to it, with warnings from Stephen Hawkins, and the hope of more scientific theories. Instead, we just follow a group of friends as the invasion occurs, and watch the same-ole-same-ole arguing while they make all the wrong decisions. Not that there is much hope anyway… Stars Eric Balfour (24) and Donald Faison (Scrubs). If you’re really into aliens or human survival during disaster films, you might like it. But for the rest of us, skip it.
Morning Glory
Comedy
3 stars
Cute but unremarkable film starring Rachel McAdams as a morning show producer trying to improve ratings and deal with the animosity between the two hosts, Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton. There are several laughs as the two hosts snipe at one another. My Mom liked it - even though the f-word was used a handful of times. Actually, the f-word scenes were pretty funny. Kudos to Matt Malloy, the poor little weather guy who is the brunt of some humorous torture. Good for a few laughs.
3 stars
Cute but unremarkable film starring Rachel McAdams as a morning show producer trying to improve ratings and deal with the animosity between the two hosts, Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton. There are several laughs as the two hosts snipe at one another. My Mom liked it - even though the f-word was used a handful of times. Actually, the f-word scenes were pretty funny. Kudos to Matt Malloy, the poor little weather guy who is the brunt of some humorous torture. Good for a few laughs.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Fair Game
Indie, True Story
4 stars
Good movie starring Naomi Watts as the spy who was deliberately exposed during the Bush/Cheney administration, for which Scooter Libby took the fall. Sean Penn co-stars as her outspoken husband. I called it a “true story” even though we’ll never really know exactly what was discussed between Cheney, Libby and Carl Rove, but it feels close enough to the mark and more importantly, you see how this spitefulness affected the exposed family’s lives. Unfortunately, this was filmed with shaky, hand-held cameras which I find terribly annoying, but it’s a very good story. Complicated and fast paced, but worth it.
4 stars
Good movie starring Naomi Watts as the spy who was deliberately exposed during the Bush/Cheney administration, for which Scooter Libby took the fall. Sean Penn co-stars as her outspoken husband. I called it a “true story” even though we’ll never really know exactly what was discussed between Cheney, Libby and Carl Rove, but it feels close enough to the mark and more importantly, you see how this spitefulness affected the exposed family’s lives. Unfortunately, this was filmed with shaky, hand-held cameras which I find terribly annoying, but it’s a very good story. Complicated and fast paced, but worth it.
Due Date
Comedy
3 stars
Decent comedy with Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis (Hangover) as reluctant travel partners trying to get Downey across the country in time for his child’s birth. If you liked the previews, it’s more of the same. I did laugh several times, even though the plot feels stolen from Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Galifianakis’s character isn’t much different from his Hangover and It’s Kind of a Funny Story roles, but there is something lovable, albeit irritating, about him. Cute movie.
3 stars
Decent comedy with Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis (Hangover) as reluctant travel partners trying to get Downey across the country in time for his child’s birth. If you liked the previews, it’s more of the same. I did laugh several times, even though the plot feels stolen from Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Galifianakis’s character isn’t much different from his Hangover and It’s Kind of a Funny Story roles, but there is something lovable, albeit irritating, about him. Cute movie.
Friday, November 5, 2010
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest
Foreign, Intrigue
4.5 stars
Excellent finale to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy (must be seen sequentially). Swedish with subtitles. As Lizbeth Salander recovers from three gunshot wounds, she now faces charges of attempted murder and must face the psychiatric doctor who had sexually abused her during her teen years. Excellent, excellent story, well told, well acted. Noomi Rapace returns in the title role as does Michael Nyqvist as a prominent journalist and her former flame. I only wish I had watched The Girl Who Played With Fire again before seeing this. Though I saw Played With Fire twice already this summer I still forgot little details, like exactly who Sandberg is, what was the beef between the bikers and the giant blonde guy, Niedermann, and I never did figure out who Bjorn was. Yes, there is a huge cast, and the plot is complicated, no matter, I still loved this series. Loved it, I highly recommend this series – these are my favorite three movies of the year!
4.5 stars
Excellent finale to The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy (must be seen sequentially). Swedish with subtitles. As Lizbeth Salander recovers from three gunshot wounds, she now faces charges of attempted murder and must face the psychiatric doctor who had sexually abused her during her teen years. Excellent, excellent story, well told, well acted. Noomi Rapace returns in the title role as does Michael Nyqvist as a prominent journalist and her former flame. I only wish I had watched The Girl Who Played With Fire again before seeing this. Though I saw Played With Fire twice already this summer I still forgot little details, like exactly who Sandberg is, what was the beef between the bikers and the giant blonde guy, Niedermann, and I never did figure out who Bjorn was. Yes, there is a huge cast, and the plot is complicated, no matter, I still loved this series. Loved it, I highly recommend this series – these are my favorite three movies of the year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
